First Time Ever in History Women Vote in Saudi

For the very first time in history, Saudi women headed to the polls in a nationwide municipal election.

Image via Photo: AP

What the actual story is?

In this election fray, out of 6,900 candidates competing for 2,100 elected seats in Saudi Arabia’s local councils, 979 are women. Still women in Saudi women are deprived of many basic rights, including the ability to drive or travel abroad without the permission of a male guardian, many female voters see their inclusion in the election process as a turning point.

Representational image via nanopress.it

The gulf kingdom is an absolute monarchy and local councils are the only popularly elected bodies that exist.